Game apparatus



F. J. MAssARo Sept. 1, 1959 GAME APPARATUS Filed May 24, 1957 rrrr 1A ///////[r lill/l1 f l lll/f Il;

A INVENTOR, FRAN/(J: A553950 BY United States Patent C GAME APPARATUS Frank J. Massaro, East Haven, Conn.

Application May 24,1957, Serial No. 661,347

1 Claim. (C 273-144) My invention relates to game apparatus for the chance selection of numbers and the like.

My apparatus has particular utility in connection with the popular game commonly called Bingo, in which the players receive prizes on the basis of groups of numbers drawn by the operator. The numbers are usually marked on circular, disk-shaped chips which are deposited in a box and the selection of which is supposed to be governed entirely by chance. Obviously, such an arrangement offers opportunities to the operator to in lluence the selection of the numbers by the prearrangement of the chips in the box, or by other methods.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a game apparatus in which the selection of the chips is governed exclusively by chance, entirely independently of the operator.

Another object of my invention is to provide a game apparatus which, by imitating a string instrument, lends added amusement value to the game.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

ln the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this application, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred form of my invention,

Figure 1 is a partial sectional and plan view of my game apparatus,

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional View of the same,

Figure 3 is a sectional view through the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral 1 designates the circular, disk-shaped chips which in the preferred form are marked with numbers. The numeral 2 designates the body portion of my apparatus, which is hollow and serves as a container for said chips. The body portion 2 has an opening 3 for the depositing of said chips, which may be closed by the cover 4.

Adjoining the body portion 2 is the neck 5, which has an extension inside the hollow body portion, designated by the numeral 6. Within the said neck 5 and extension 6 there is a passage 7 just wide enough to permit the movement of a chip edgewise and having a funnel-shaped entrance 8 within the body portion 2.

At the outer end of the passage 7 the neck 5 has an outlet slot 9 for the discharge of the chips. This slot 9 is provided with resilient lips 10 so spaced that they resist the exit of the chip unless force is applied by means of the push button 11 for the purpose of d1scharging the chip located at the outer end of the passage 7. j

l ice Spring 12 serves to return the push button 11 into the normal position when the pressure is relieved.

It is to be noted that the preferred embodiment of my game apparatus, shown in the drawing, has the form similar to a guitar. This similarity to a musical instrument has an amusement value when the drawing of the numbers is accompanied by some comical acting of the operator, which is quite frequently done in these games.

The game apparatus herein shown and described is preferably made of molded plastic, it may be manufactured, however, of any other suitable material.

The operation of my game apparatus is as follows:

Through the opening 3 the chips 1 are deposited into the hollow body portion 2, and the opening is closed by the cover 4. Then, by appropriate manipulation, such as shaking and inverting the apparatus, the chips are thoroughly shuilled and mixed. As a result of this manipulation one of the chips will enter the passage 7 through the funnel-shape entrance 8, and will slide down to the outlet slot 9, at the outer end of the neck 5. Due to the closeness of the resilient lips 10 the chip will be prevented from passing through the slot until pressure is applied on the push button 11, causing it to advance and force the chip out through the slot against the resistance of the resilient lips.

The selection of the chip thus dispensed is governed entirely by chance and cannot be influenced by the operator.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herein shown and described is only an example of the same, and that various changes in the size, shape, and arrangement of the parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention, or the scope of the subjoined claim.

I claim:

A game apparatus for the chance selection of diskshaped chips comprising a hollow body portion having an opening for the deposition of the chips; a neck adjoining said body portion and having an extension within said hollow body portion, said neck and extension having a longitudinal passage just wide enough to permit the movement of a chip edgewise, said passage having a funnel-shaped entrance opening inside the hollow body portion to receive said chip and an outlet slot, located at the free end of said neck, for the discharge of said chip; resilient lips, secured adjacent to said slot, and being so spaced as to resist the discharge of said chip from said slot; a push button mounted opposite said slot, and being slidable so as to advance under external pressure causing the discharge of the chip through the slot against the resistance of the resilient lips; a spring operatively connected with the said push button so as to return the advanced push button when the external force is relieved.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,560,974 Clays Nov. l0, 1925 FOREIGN PATENTS 910,638 France June 13, 1 946 

